battery terminal oxidation

realolman · Nov 25, 2012

what causes the green powdery oxidation on battery terminals?

My daughter's car gets it and I clean it off regularly... my other vehicles don't get it.

Why one and not the other?

Janicholson · Nov 25, 2012

Prevention first. Clean it well with a buffered material T tblspoons of baking soda in a quart of warm water. and a stiff brush. Rinse well. then use one of the following: spray on Bat terminal protector, white grease clear acrylic spray or similar.
The cause is from sulfuric acid in the battery area affecting the metal of the terminal, in combination with the electrolysis from dissimilar terminal and battery pole materials. Some are more compatible than others. Salt from winter roads adds to the problem in many cases. Jim

BOB HAWBECKER · Nov 25, 2012

give this a try very easy to do.

place a dap of grease on a penny and place it at teminal,(on top of battery case)put one at each terminal works wonders.
i did this to my dads car he said no way it works........lol

willie in mn · Nov 25, 2012

Acid fumes plus humidity in the air. Somewhere, sometime, somebody used too much force in tightening the terminals. The post moved just a tad & broke the seal to the case.
Quick & dirty remedy is those felt washers on the post. Keep some oil on the felts, will trap acid fumes before corrosion can start. Some red batt spray or even brush-on gasket sealer after everything is put together sometimes helps too.
My opinion & I'm sticken to it.
WJ

TJV · Nov 25, 2012

after a good cleaning i have used the red treminal protector spray, and I have also used another product called WHIP its a dark brown/black still liquid that is brushed on. the cap to the bottle has a brush on it. I put it on the bottom side of the terminal (not the connection area) then put together and cover the remaining exposed areas, it prevents the corrosion from growing. been using for a few years now and like it. I bought it at (dare i say it) the local JD dealer (they need all the help they can get) but it should be available other places. just dont spill on your clothtes it stains.

Super-H-Mike · Nov 25, 2012

I clean them with baking soda and water and wire brush, then blow dry with shop air. Afterwards I give them a heavy coat of red spray paint on the positive terminal, and black on the negative. I think it works better than the commercial products made I have tried. Some cars and batteries are more prone than others. Leakage of acid and fumes and underhood ventilation differences probably come into play. The cars that have the battery mounted under the rear seat, have almost no problems with corrosion biuld up from what I have seen.

maxwell99 · Nov 25, 2012

how old is battery? It may be breaking down inside!!!

clean battery as said in other post.

i use the red/green felt washers under the battery connectors. then keep each post coated in heavy grease, but if battery is starting to break down inside, the white powder will continue to built.

I think battery is leaking acid fumes.

If it was my daughters car, i would buy her a new battery and retire that old battery to the old tractor or boat trolling motor.

good luck and be careful, that stuff will get all over the car fender, you, clothes, etc:

Highlander · Nov 28, 2012

Most likely cause is overcharging. Have the alternator and regulator checked. Baking soda and water will do a good job of cleaning, but be careful not to get it in the battery cells - it will neutralize the battery.

battery terminal oxidation

realolman

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Janicholson

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BOB HAWBECKER

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willie in mn

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TJV

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Super-H-Mike

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maxwell99

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Highlander

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